Section 21 recieved and I go on holiday for a week tomorrow!

[RoryGillmoresEvilTwin]

Fuck!
I honestly don't know what to do.

I knew it was coming but the timing is pretty shit considering I leave the country tomorrow for a week.

Anyone have any idea what the hell I do at this point??

Um. No thanks. Reported.

Do you have a plan to move or as you waiting for eviction so you can get emergency housing? Have you spoken to the landlord?

Nerr
I'll need to apply for social housing. I cant afford to go private again.

I've spoken to my landlord and he's very reasonable. We've been in this house for 9 years and have always had a good relationship, unfortunately he needs to sell up.
I'll call the council tomorrow morning to get advice on how to proceed but my god, I feel really sad and a bit panicky right now.

Call SHELTER too. They may know how long you can realistically wait before being moved out legally. I know Section 21's are full on but I think it's only the High Court who can actually send Baliffs in.

Obviously you'd rather do it all properly but you also need to know you're not going to come back from your holiday to find your stuff outside!

Thanks Penny.
I hadn't thought about contacting Shelter.
I'll put it on my list for tomorrow.

Honestly, the timing couldn't be worse!

Well, not much you can do just now unless you have WiFi in your destination you can start contacting estate agents to line up some viewings when you get back.

Are you paying rent still?

Yes I'm paying rent and I'll obviously continue to do so until I move out.

Unfortunately I can't arrange viewings. I need to go to the council to get on the housing list.
I just feel a bit sick about it all.

If you are a private tenant then the owner can choose to sell or rent the property at his convenience. Same way you could sell anything you own. You may find it harsh but it’s the owners right

Alice what the heck are you warbling on about? Nobody said the owner DIDN'T have the right you eejit.

Do you have children OP? And if you don't mind, what county do you live in? I ask because then we might have some idea of your chances of council housing.

The thing is councils won't do anything until you've physically been evicted.
Has the landlord given a timescale?

Yes unfortunately, you'll have to stay beyond the date stated on the Section 21 and until AFTER the Court hearing and the day of eviction otherwise the council will not provide any emergency accommodation. I'd advise getting your stuff out before then of course and into storage. So then when the day of eviction arrives you just have a small bag and can leave peacefully. If your holiday cannot be cancelled via travel insurance then I'd just go. The eviction process takes months

You will have plenty of time yet. When a Landlord serves a Section 21 notice, they must provide the tenant with at least two months notice to leave the property.
If you have not left in that time, they then have to apply to the courts for a possession order.
It is a lengthy and costly path for a landlord to gain possession.
If you are hoping to be rehomed in a Council property it is more than likely that your local authority will not act until you are evicted. Which means I’m your case letting the Section 21 expire, wait for the court date to grant the possession notice to the landlord and then the bailiffs will come to evict you.
Only then will you be given paperwork that you can take to the council and then they will act.
I’m a landlady and I’ve been down this path many times over the years-but my tenants haven’t paid their rent!
I wish you the best of luck, enjoy your holiday because it’s a long road yet and you won’t be coming home to find your things outside.

Don’t they have to give at least 2 months notice anyway? Is there anyway you can negotiate with your landlord that you stay until exchange/completion? Surely it’s beneficial for both of you as he has rent and you have a home. Got no experience in this so just an idea.

Is the S21 valid? Has your deposit been secured in one of the schemes? Were you given a 'how to rent' booklet? Is your gas safety certificate up to date?

Are you already on the housing register? If not apply now. It can take ages to get an account set up, provide all your id and proof of income etc. You’ll be put as a low priority at first but then when the time comes and you have to leave it should make things a lot quicker and smoother if you’re already in the system

I finally managed to get some sleep.

@Alicewond yes I'm well aware of that. I'm in no way annoyed with my landlord. The lack of security is one of the awful things about private renting but it is, unfortunately, a fact of life for many people.

I'm not on the housing register. I will be phoning the council as soon as they open this morning to start the ball rolling.

@HennyPennyHorror, yes I have a dc. He's 8.

It takes about 6 months to evict tenants under a section 21 so you’ve got plenty of time. You must pay your rent as usual though. Good luck and put it to the back of your mind and enjoy your holiday

@RoryGillmoresEvilTwin please check whether the S21 is valid